Knowledge Exchange
Knowledge Exchange (or KE) is a core pillar of RCS, it works to develop the Conservatoire’s relationship with the wider world.
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It’s a new expression for an old idea: that the work and expertise of Conservatoire staff is there to be used, to have an impact, but also to be shaped by the needs and priorities of the diverse communities of which the Conservatoire is a part.
The KE team takes the lead in the area of creative enterprise and works alongside colleagues across the institution to drive public engagement activity.
We facilitate access to specialist business support, introductions to new partners and connections to funding initiatives. The creative enterprise strand is a catalyst for new collaborations and business models and a driver of innovation in the creative economy.
Public engagement is at the heart of our work and deeply embedded into the core mission of the Conservatoire. RCS is one of the busiest arts venues in Scotland with over 60,000 tickets sold per year and the KE team provides support for new forms of public engagement such as our popular talks series Exchange Talks.
Upcoming Exchange Talks
The Cumnock Tryst presents
The Cumnock Hour: Genesis Conversations
Rural regeneration explored locally
Part of The Cumnock Tryst Festival 2024
Our Work:
RCS Staff
We offer support with public engagement, project development, company start-up and commercialisation through a range of mechanisms: Athenaeum Awards, consultations with expert advisers, exploratory coaching sessions with the KE Team, introductions to external partners, initiatives and agencies with the potential to offer support and financial backing.
RCS Students
We offer extracurricular support in creative enterprise skills and knowledge through our Make it Happen strand of work.
RCS Recent Graduates
In Autumn 2018 we launched a micro-funding programme for recent graduates – Make It Happen Micro Funding. The fund is accessed through a competitive application process and provides small pots of money to graduates, supporting their next steps as they emerge into their profession.
Beyond the Conservatoire, our connections and relationships with the world are rooted locally and extend internationally, with artists and arts organisations, creative companies, local and national government, national and international agencies, businesses, institutions and networks.
We are curious and love to explore new ways of working from one-off micro-projects with individuals to large-scale multi-partner initiatives across a number of years.
KE at the Conservatoire reflects a basic artistic impetus: to make a difference.